Last November, I got stuck for two nights
in the San Francisco airport on my way to Australia. With
hundreds of people milling around, I pulled out an innovation tool I invented
called the KnowBrainer and scribbled a sign on paper I got from a ticket agent
that read: "Free ideas from Solutionman! I will help you with your goals,
challenges or problems while you're waiting."

Much to my surprise, people lined up to get advice. At first I sat on a
seat and later on the carpet with the KnowBrainer, which looks like a deck of
cards with questions and quotations, inviting people to sit with me, one by
one. An inventor was trying to think of variations on his technology-storage
device, which he had been working on for over five years. He said he was
dreaming about algorithms. Though he had gotten stuck on one particular
formula, an Einstein quote in my game seemed to spark some ideas.

An attractive young lady in a revealing outfit actually wanted to
brainstorm ideas on how "we" could vacation together in Australia. I
had to politely tell her I was traveling on business - and married. We then
talked about how she could improve her social life and find a boyfriend. Most
of her dates asked the same old questions, like where she went to school, and
talked too much about themselves and sports. She decided to try to spice up her
e-mail exchanges and phone conversations with men she met on her online dating
service.

Then there was a marketing consultant who wanted to bring more
"emotion" to an advertising campaign. He showed me some original
storyboards, which featured nature scenes and soft colors. But one purple leaf
stood out, and after talking with me, he concluded he ought to use more strong
colors like purple. Over two days, I visited with over 100 people. People were
handing me notes with suggestions at the airport, hotel lobbies and shuttle
buses.

I'm a strong believer in a correlation between your environment and
creativity. I also believe you should take your shoes off to think properly. If
your feet are comfortable, your brain will be comfortable.I've brainstormed in an English castle, on a
ship and in a Singapore
stadium with 8,000 people, but I found an airport to be a superb place for
mental exercise. Lots of space, billboards and things to look at. And you can
take your shoes off.